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Vane, young in yeares, but in sage counsell old

John Milton·1608–1674
Lines:14
Vane, young in yeares, but in sage counsell old,Then whome a better Senatour nere heldThe helme of Rome, when gownes not armes repelldThe feirce Epeirot & the African bold,Whether to settle peace or to unfoldThe drift of hollow states hard to be spelld,Then to advise how warr may best, upheld,Move by her two maine nerves, Iron & GoldIn all her equipage; besides to knowBoth spirituall powre & civill, what each meanes,What severs each, thou 'hast learnt, which few have donThe bounds of either sword to thee wee ow.Therefore on thy firme hand religion leanesIn peace, and reck'ns thee her eldest son.